Audio 4:04
From sharks to crocs, WA Premier floats a new control measures

Caitlyn GribbinUpdated
Wed Jan 29 19:16:00 EST 2014

The West Australian Premier Colin Barnett is struggling to sell his shark killing policy, but despite the criticism he's turning his sights to another animal. Mr Barnett said today that steps would have to be taken to control the southward drift of crocodile populations in WA's north.

Transcript

MARK COLVIN: The West Australian Premier Colin Barnett is struggling to sell his shark killing policy, but, despite the criticism he's turning his sights to another animal. Mr Barnett said today that steps would have to be taken to control the southward drift of crocodile populations in WA's north.

Caitlyn Gribbin has our report.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: First sharks, now crocodiles. Animals are featuring prominently in WA's media.

(Excerpt from talkback radio)

GEOFF HUTCHISON: And a very good morning to you this morning, and my guest this morning is the Premier of Western Australia. Give us a call: 1300 222 720...

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: Fresh off his Christmas break, Colin Barnett was asked about his new shark killing policy.

GEOFF HUTCHISON: Not surprisingly, you had some people greeting you out the front this morning. Are you surprised at the extent of...

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: He spent time defending it, revealing it'll run for another year.

COLIN BARNETT: I believe this programme needs to run through the remainder of this summer, and through next summer, and then we'll have a better perspective to try assess it.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: But the topic turned away from sharks when a talkback caller from Broome called to report seeing a crocodile at a local beach. That prompted this response from Mr Barnett.

COLIN BARNETT: You mentioned the crocodile; I think that will be probably less contentious, but I can see that there's going to have to be measures taken around Broome in controlling the southward drift of crocodile populations.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: Mr Barnett has left the country to fly to Africa for official duties, so hasn't provided further comment. His office insists there are currently no plans for a crocodile cull and the Premier's comments point out action may be required down the track.

PETER TUCKER: It's not like we have this entering this situation like you'd be entering a billabong in the Northern Territory - it's just not the same.

PETER TUCKER: There's probably just been a few extra sightings in the last four or five years, and the crocodiles are just returning to their historical places of dwelling prior to the severe culling in the 60s and 70s.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: There's only been one confirmed fatal crocodile attack in WA - that happened in 1987 in the East Kimberley. More recently, there have been reported sightings of saltwater crocodiles south of Broome in Port Hedland, Dampier and as far south as Carnarvon.

Peter Tucker says if the sightings are correct, he can understand the concerns.

PETER TUCKER: Look, if crocodiles are going as far south as Carnarvon I would suggest that that's certainly a unique situation. Like any marine animal, I guess if there's a warm current that may be pushed in by the Leeuwin Current, it could take crocodiles down there, but I would doubt that they would ever, ever establish themselves there, because it just gets too cold.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: Obviously there's been some around Karratha and Port Hedland as well that have been sighted. Do you see that as being too far south?

PETER TUCKER: No, they're just returning to their historical grounds.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: I suppose there's a fear though that humans could be attacked in these larger populated areas where crocodiles are moving south. Could you see an argument then for controlling the numbers then to some extent in more populated areas?

PETER TUCKER: I don't believe the numbers would be big enough to warrant such action, no. We're talking of the sighting of one or two crocodiles.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: Colin Barnett says the southward drift of crocodiles isn't just an issue in WA.

COLIN BARNETT: I was talking to Queensland Premier Campbell Newman recently; it is a major issue in Queensland, with large numbers of crocodiles coming down the Queensland coast - perhaps, you know, reoccupying traditional areas before European settlement, but again, high population areas and large dangers there.

CAITLYN GRIBBIN: Peter Tucker says the major problem is people swimming in croc-infested waterways.

PETER TUCKER: Human beings I guess think they have the God-given right to go anywhere they like, and whatever's in their way, if it becomes a problem, they'll get rid of it. And this is the issue: crocodiles have been there forever; I think we have to be smart and learn to live with crocodiles - and sharks, for that matter - just do not enter the water where there's potentially a crocodile! And I think it's more about educating the people than removing the crocodiles.